Known as the Railway Capital of Canada, St Thomas is a popular destination amongst train enthusiasts and boasts plenty of history and natural areas from its beautiful location in the heart of southwestern Ontario, making for a fantastic day trip destination from London.
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From locomotive museums to the monumental statue of Jumbo the Elephant, these are the ten best things to do in St. Thomas, Ontario.
A Quick Look At The 10 Best Things To Do In St. Thomas, Ontario
- Enjoy Activities In Pinafore Park
- Explore Railway History At The Elgin County Railway Museum
- Stop By Caso Station
- Enjoy Local Flavours At Railway City Brewing
- Take A Stroll At St. Thomas Elevated Park
- Let History Come To Life With An Augmented Reality Tour
- Take To The Greens At A Local Golf Course
- Take A Picture With Jumbo The Elephant
- Escape The Heat At Waterworks Park
- Enjoy A Nature Hike Along Whistlestop Trail
The 10 Top Things To Do In St Thomas, Ontario
1. Enjoy Outdoor Activities In Pinafore Park
A spacious natural area just at the edge of town, Pinafore Park was first established at the end of the 19th century and continues to provide a beautifully preserved outdoor area for engaging in a massive variety of activities.
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Among its amenities are a baseball stadium, tennis courts, and several hiking and cross-country skiing trails. Meanwhile, the park also hosts several season events, including a summer concert series and the Light the Night holiday lights during the Christmas season,
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Whether engaging in the park’s hiking trails or looking for a great place to enjoy an afternoon picnic, Pinafore Park is a must-stop along any itinerary to St Thomas, Ontario.
2. Explore Railway History At The Elgin County Railway Museum
St Thomas served as an important railway hub since the establishment of the London and Port Stanley Railway in 1856, and it has even garnered the nickname of Canada’s Railway City. As such, no visit to the community would be complete without first touring the Elgin County Railway Museum.
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Operating out of the restored Michigan Central railroad locomotive shops first built in 1913, this museum houses a collection of artifacts from the city’s railway history, including several passenger and freight cars, the Rolling Stock Gallery, and several historic rail yards which can be observed from the History in Motion Room.
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While the Elgin County Railway Museum is particularly popular amongst train enthusiasts, the museum promises plenty of history and intrigue for all visitors.
3. Stop By Caso Station
When visiting the railway museum, you may as well complete your walking tour through the history of St. Thomas at Caso Station. Built in 1873, Caso Station was the largest railway station built by the Canada Southern Railway company throughout the 1870s.
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During its heyday, the station was even compared to the large rail hubs of Chicago and New York and was by far one of the most impressive stations in Canada. And while rail traffic ceased in the 1980s, Casio Station remains one of the grand railway buildings in the country and one of the top attractions in St Thomas today.
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Since its closure, the station has been completely restored and is largely used as a rental space for weddings and other special events. While much of the building is now used by local businesses, the complex as a whole is open for self-guided tours between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.
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Among the top sites are historic waiting rooms, a dining room, the second-floor administrative headquarters, and artifacts preserving the storied days of the station’s past as an important transportation hub.
4. Enjoy Local Flavours At Railway City Brewing Co.
Stopping by the Railway City Brewing Co. for a cold craft beer is a great way to break up your day as you explore St Thomas attractions and activities. Opened in 2008, the brewery offers a great selection of craft beers and has expanded to include a delicious food menu, making it one of the best restaurants in St Thomas today.
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Guests can book the brewery’s tour and tasting experience for a full look into the production processes of local craft beer while tasting some of the property’s best offerings.
5. Take A Stroll At St. Thomas Elevated Park
Inspired by St Thomas’s railway history, the St. Thomas Elevated Park is a beautifully converted space sitting atop the historic Michigan Central Railroad Kettle Creek Bridge.Â
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One of the most unique things to do in St. Thomas, the double tracks of the railroad bridge have been replaced with flower beds, trees, benches, and a picnic area, making it a great area to enjoy the beauty of nature while admiring town from a unique, birds-eye perspective.
6. Let History Come To Life With An Augmented Reality Tour
Blending the past with the innovative technologies of the 21st century, the Engage AR Augmented Reality App allows visitors to breathe life into five different historic sites within downtown St. Thomas.
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Using the app, visitors can watch as trains complete their historic journeys across the town’s centuries-old railway or learn about the preserved stories of local vintners at the Veterans Memorial Garden.
7. Take To The Greens At A Local Golf Course
With several public and private golf courses dotting its countryside, the city of St Thomas is a fantastic destination for a golfing getaway. And while its private courses require a membership to play, the region’s public offerings are still -world-class, with long fairways and well-maintained greens.
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Some of the region’s best public 18-hole golf courses include the Iron Creek Country Club, The Bluffs Golf Club, and Belmont Golf Club.
8. Take A Picture With Jumbo The Elephant
One of the most iconic things to do in St. Thomas is taking a picture with the statue of Jumbo The Elephant.Â
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Jumbo is perhaps the most famous elephant in the world, promoted by P.T. Barnum as “The Biggest Elephant in the World” in the 19th century. Unfortunately, Jumbo met an untimely demise when he was struck by a train in St. Thomas in 1885.
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On the 100th anniversary of his death, the town of St. Thomas erected a life-sized statue of Jumbo, commemorating the tragic site while honouring the joy and excitement the elephant once brought to the mass crowds.
9. Escape The Heat At Waterworks Park
Established in the early 1900s, Waterworks Park was the first public-owned park in St. Thomas and continues to be a picturesque natural beauty for enjoying a variety of family-friendly activities.
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Covering about 25 acres, the park features over 5,000 vibrant flowers, ornamental shrubbery, and tended lawns perfect for picnics and nature walks. The park is particularly popular amongst bird watchers and plays host to several species, including Kingfisher, Blue Heron, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel.
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Meanwhile, the park’s playground and splash pad are popular destinations for families and visitors travelling with their little ones.
10. Enjoy A Nature Hike Along Whistlestop Trail
Spanning about 16 kilometres, the Whistlestop Trail connects the Railway City to the beautiful beach town of Port Stanley. Starting at Jumbo the Elephant, the route guides visitors to all of the top attractions both in St. Thomas and the surrounding countryside before finishing with a cooling dip in Lake Erie.
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Open to walkers, runners, and bikers, engaging this trail is one of the more demanding things to do in St Thomas but is also one of the most rewarding and the best way to experience everything the region offers.
